Kings hire Mike Malone as head coach

Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - The Sacramento Kings officially named
Michael Malone as their new head coach on Monday.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Malone was the top assistant to the Warriors' Mark Jackson the past two
seasons. He was previously an assistant coach for the Knicks, Hornets and
Cavaliers as well.

The sale of the Sacramento Kings to an investment group headed by Vivek
Ranadive was completed last Friday.

"Michael Malone is one of the best and most talented coaches in the game,"
Ranadive said in a statement. "As Vice Chairman of the Warriors, I developed a
great relationship with Coach Malone and witnessed first-hand how instrumental
he was to the success of the team. His work ethic, passion, and vision for the
game will create an entirely new culture and style of play. Hiring Coach
Malone is our first step in giving the best fans in sports the excellence they
deserve."

Malone becomes the Kings' 25th coach and replaces Keith Smart, who was
informed by the new ownership that he would not return for the 2013-14 season.
Smart went 48-93 in two seasons in Sacramento. The Kings finished 13th in the
Western Conference with a 28-54 record in 2012-13.